Post 10: ...salt...grr...

Although I know that I would be furious if I were to slip on an icy pathway, hurt myself, and end up going to class with a wet rear, I can't help but hate the salt. I hate crunching on it, I hate the way it marks my pants and boots, and frankly, I hate how unnatural it looks on the ground. Large, blocky grains of salt surrounded by small pools of water... it looks so gross. I know that there are many benefits, in particular the number of injuries it helps avoid, but I wish there was a better way. I've heard discussions about how it is bad for the surrounding environment as well. As the snow melts and washes away the salt remains, it embeds itself into the ground, which can result in areas of stunted plant growth. I know that gravel can create mud and look even less appealing, but would this maybe be a more eco-friendly alternative? Heated sidewalks don't leave white streaks on clothing or result in muddy slosh, but then there's the question of wasting electricity. Really, there appears to be no good option...

http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/files/2009/01/427540206_ee5b9f53f6.jpg